DYI 120 Roll Film Camera

DIY camera builder Steve Monteau shares his new La Guillotine Camera build guide.  It captures sequential snapshots on 120 roll film.  Below is the link to the Lifehacker.com article.

Build a DYI Camera

FujiFilm To Announce New Instax Cameras

Polaroid isn’t the only company trying to keep instant film alive.  Below is a recent press release from FujiFilm.

FUJIFILM North America Corporation has announced it will showcase its most recent instant camera models during PMA 2010 – the commercial grade Instax 210, and two consumer models – the newest addition to the Instax family, the Instax Mini 25 and the Instax Mini 7S which was introduced last fall. Fujifilm has been producing instant films in Japan since the late 1980’s and by 2003 was introducing branded peel-apart type instant films to the United States. In November 2008, the company introduced its first instant camera, the Instax 200 to the U.S. market.

“The response to Fujifilm’s instant cameras and films in the United States has been excellent because they not only fill a need but also produce the exceptional quality photographers have come to expect of Fujifilm products”, said Kayce Baker, director of trade marketing, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM North America Corporation. “Consumer interest in the Instax Mini 7S was very strong during the holidays. As a result of its popularity we are now able to offer U.S. consumers our newest model, the Instax Mini 25. There is still a need for instant film in professional and commercial markets. For consumers, the Instax Mini provides a nostalgic experience for some, and a whole new photo experience to those who grew up on digital.”

Instax 210 Instant Film Camera 
Successor of the Instax 200, Fujifilm’s newest commercial grade instant camera, the Instax 210 uses Fujifilm’s Instax Wide Instant Color Film to produce vivid images in a wide picture format. The Instax 210 also offers an automatic adjusting flash, high-resolution retracting lens, a new close-up lens adapter and a big clear viewfinder. With a high precision Fujinon lens, the Instax 210 has a programmed electronic shutter, two range selectable shooting options, and an LCD control panel displaying focal distance and film count. The Instax 210 instant camera is sleek black and sports a rounded shape, easy-to-hold side grip, and finger controllable composite control panel. The Instax 210 camera and film provide a high quality instant film solution for a variety of commercial applications including: law enforcement, health care, fashion, and event marketing.

Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera 
Fujifilm’s newest consumer model, the stylish Instax Mini 25 produces vivid credit-card sized instant prints using Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film. In addition, this instant camera boasts added features such as an LCD film count and shooting mode display as well as a camera mounted shooting mirror for taking self portraits. The Instax Mini 25 also includes a built-in automatic electronic flash for low-light shooting, a detachable close-up shooting lens and three exposure modes – auto mode for dark settings, fill in flash mode for auto flash on bright or dark areas, and landscape mode. The programmed electronic shutter has two release buttons for vertical and horizontal shooting. Available in white.

Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Camera 
Also for consumers, the Instax Mini 7S is an instant film solution equipped with high end Fujinon optics and four selectable shooting modes. With its silken white finish and cute design the Instax Mini is a sleek looking camera that produces high-quality, credit-card sized instant prints using Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film.

Instax Instant Color Films are ISO 800 films that produce sharp clear reproduction for vivid color, natural skin tones and super fine grain instant prints. Instax Wide Format Film has an image size of 3.90” x 2.44”. Instax Mini Film is 2”x3” while the image area is 1.8” x 2.4”.

Fujifilm’s line-up of Instax instant cameras and instant films have been enjoying success in Asia and Europe for years, which has helped generate a loyal following in the United States, particularly over the last year. The continued introduction of instant film products in to the U.S. market is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to the culture of photography.

Availability:
  Fujifilm’s Instax Mini 25 Instant Film Camera will be available in Q2 2010. The Instax 210 and Instax Mini 7S Instant Film Cameras are now available.

New Polaroid One-Step On The Way?

The next generation of Polaroid cameras was apparently displayed at the 2010 CES back in January.  The available photos of the new, instant-film camera, called PIC-1000 show off its retro style including a metallic plastic finish and woodgrain.  The new model has a self-timer, flash and even red-eye reduction.  It will be interesting to see just how serious they are considering pricing and a release date have yet to be announced.

FujiFilm Announces New GF670 Film Camera

In the category of “Didn’t See That Coming” the FujiFilm announced the GF670 Professional medium format folding camera. The foldable camera resembles the classic shooters of old and features 6×6 and 6×7 dual-format shooting for use with120 and 220 roll film. It features a Fujinon EBC 80 mm lens, coupled rangefinder, exposure compensator, and aperture-priority automatic and manual exposure modes.

But why this camera, now? "There is a segment of studio, portrait, and landscape photographers who find that medium-format film is the perfect solution for their businesses because of the unique look that film offers as well as the ability to produce high-resolution photos in very large sizes" said a Fujifilm spokesperson. "Many photographers still have a passion for the art of traditional film photography."

The GF670 Professional includes exposure counter display, an ISO setting dial, manual film advancement and offers -2/+2 exposure compensation. There is a a hot shoe flash mount and a PC sync socket. The camera is expected to be available in Q2 2010 at a cost of $2199. At that price you better still love film.

Diana Adapters For Canon and Nikon SLR

If you’ve been asking yourself ‘how can my Canon or Nikon SLR produce images like the Diana’ ask no more. Seek psychological help, but ask no more. Actually I have a couple of Holgas and love using these classic no-frills plastic medium format cameras to get simple, artistic images. The Diana is the queen of such cameras and has quite the cult following. Lomography, distributor of optics from Hong Kong-based Diana has now made it possible to get Diana results without having to carry the camera. They have released affordable F+ lens adaptors for Canon EOS and Nikon F-mount SLRs so there is no need to carry multiple cameras and film to get Diana-like results.

Text from the Diana+ website…

With the brand new Diana F+ SLR adaptors you can now introduce the whole range of effects achievable with the Diana F+ lenses and accessories to your 35mm Canon EOS or Nikon F series cameras. Bring on Fisheye wackiness, sweeping wide-angles and close-up curiosity - just some of the fantastic effects you can experiment with when you combine the Diana F+ SLR Adaptors with the Diana F+ creative add-ons! Simply attach and twist the SLR adaptor to the Canon EOS or Nikon F mounts and then you are ready to slap on your Diana weapon of choice! These adaptors are compatible with Diana's 50 special-effect lenses. The lenses range from Super-wide, Telephoto, Close-up, and Pin-Hole.

The beauty of the SLR Adaptors is that they open up the whole series of Canon EOS and Nikon F cameras to the world Diana effects. This means whether yours is one of the earliest Nikon Fs from the late 1950s or an ultra-swanky Canon digital SLR – you can join in with the whole Diana experience!

See for yourself at the Lomography website.